Cane Syrup Popcorn Balls
- Total Time
- 30 minutes
- Rating
- Notes
- Read community notes
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Ingredients
Yield:About 3 dozen balls.
- 1cup sugar
- 1⅓cups cane syrup, preferably Steen’s (see note)
- 2tablespoons white vinegar
- 1teaspoon salt
- 3 to 4quarts popped corn, preferably not microwave popcorn, lightly salted (see note)
- ¾cup roasted salted peanuts (optional)
- 2tablespoons butter, more for hands
- ¼teaspoon baking soda.
Ingredient Substitution Guide
Nutritional analysis per serving (36 servings)
92 calories; 3 grams fat; 1 gram saturated fat; 0 grams trans fat; 1 gram monounsaturated fat; 1 gram polyunsaturated fat; 17 grams carbohydrates; 1 gram dietary fiber; 14 grams sugars; 1 gram protein; 58 milligrams sodium
Note: The information shown is Edamam’s estimate based on available ingredients and preparation. It should not be considered a substitute for a professional nutritionist’s advice.
Powered byPreparation
- Step 1
In a saucepan fitted with a candy thermometer, melt sugar, syrup, ⅔ cup water, vinegar and salt over medium heat. Cook, stirring occasionally, until mixture reaches 260 degrees, 5 to 10 minutes. Watch carefully so mixture does not boil over.
- Step 2
In a very large bowl, combine popcorn and peanuts, if using. Cover a work surface with waxed or parchment paper. When syrup mixture is ready, turn off heat and stir in butter and baking soda; it will foam up.
- Step 3
Pour about ⅔ of syrup over popcorn and set remainder over very low heat. Mix popcorn well with wooden spoon. Working quickly, butter hands and form mixture into balls, setting them on prepared surface to cool; this is best done by more than one person, so syrup does not have time to harden. If mixture seems dry or isn’t holding together, stir in remaining syrup.
- Step 4
Cool and serve, or wrap individually in waxed paper and store in an airtight container.
Tip
- Microwave popcorn will become spongy as it cools, making the popcorn balls slightly less crunchy. Steen’s syrup is available at www.steensyrup.com.
Private Notes
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Cooking Notes
cass county
on my mother's 101st birthday, it is bittersweet to see this recipe. wonderful memory of buttering our hands to form the balls after she cooked the syrup and popped the corn. they were delicious, special treat. i hope others will now enjoy a simple but memorable treat.
yvette jemison ydelicacies.com
We have wonderful memories of excited children with buttered hands waiting for that moment the pop corn balls were ready to be shaped. In Louisiana we use Steens cane syrup just as my husbands grandmother would make for all of the grand children. "Tac tac" balls are always a favorite for Halloween.
Andie
I heated the syrup mix to 250deg, as the recipe says. The popcorn won't hold together in a ball. I added more syrup and it didn't help. I have a tray with piles of popcorn on it. Anyone know how to fix this?
ainsley
So I’m going to make this thing in the morning and it looks home I’m so excited
searing
The recipe says only pour 2/3 syrup over the popcorn. It does not say what to do with the remaining 1/3.
Andie
You set it aside on low heat to add if the popcorn won't hold together
Devon
I grew up making popcorn balls at Christmastime with my great grandmother. The best tip she had was to butter your hands before you mold the popcorn into balls. This way, it doesn’t stick to your hands. And remember, the sugar is HOT!
Andi
How would Lyle’s Golden Syrup work?
Hannah211
These are a great treat any time of year. As a Sriracha fan, adding a 1/2 cup to the syrup after the cooking process really floats my boat for a quick afternoon snack.
cass county
on my mother's 101st birthday, it is bittersweet to see this recipe. wonderful memory of buttering our hands to form the balls after she cooked the syrup and popped the corn. they were delicious, special treat. i hope others will now enjoy a simple but memorable treat.
Betty
Hi I would like to know if I can freeze popcorn balls made with d Steens cane syrup?
yvette jemison ydelicacies.com
We have wonderful memories of excited children with buttered hands waiting for that moment the pop corn balls were ready to be shaped. In Louisiana we use Steens cane syrup just as my husbands grandmother would make for all of the grand children. "Tac tac" balls are always a favorite for Halloween.
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